"Everything I know about morality and the obligations of men, I owe it to football." — Albert Camus………………… "If God existed, he would be a solid midfielder." — Aleksandar Hemon…………….……………………………………

DDR, AHMED

DDR, Ahmed. Sarajevo, neighborhood. 2014

Why DDR?, I asked.

Instead of the answer, I will copy here a few verses from Ahmed’s book The God of Transition. The poem is called “Ulf Kirsten, a star man” (the star here is a five pointed one, symbol of the revolution) and it’s obviously about the legendary player from East Germany who would raise his arms and spread legs making it look like a star after scoring a goal. After the Wall was brought down, Ulf played for re-unified Germany, hundred caps in total: 49 for the East, 51 for what came after.

When he came out to play in that white Germany shirt with Bundesadler on his heart

Instead of blue one with the sickle and hammer and DDR sign

Nothing was the same anymore.

We were not the same; the Europe was not the same

Only Ulf, firm on strong legs, suggested we can survive

And still score a goal.

Talking football with Ahmed, a Bosnian journalist, poet and great friend, is bit of a festival that requires special skills. Even if you consider yourself an expert, you will still be just a mere listener. Your knowledge is void, your observations shallow, your predictions pointless. Anything else you think you know – better keep it for yourself, open your heart and listen to Ahmed. He is a football encyclopedia filled with facts, emotions and hard to control passion. Watching matches with him, our routine for many years, is a rare pleasure in which I’m not sure what’s more important and entertaining – what is happening on screen or in front of it.

Ahmed, just like every real lover of the game, cheers for not only one team. Teams Ahmed loves, and whose jerseys he wears, have to be very special, just as he is special – a combination of power, knowledge and charm but above everything with often irrational and seductive moves of a genius underdog who came from nowhere to play against big powers. In his own team Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Miles Davis would be creators, Hendrix striker no matter the result. The final score is important but the game Ahmed plays is above everything.

I will be going to Brazil for the World Cup soon, to take pictures and enjoy the tournament. That is great and I’m humbly thankful to all gods involved in making it happen. But, what makes me even happier is that my beloved friend Ahmed will be there, to follow the tournament and dribble with verses about it. If you ever come across his byline or meet him in person, stop and listen what he has to say – I promise you won’t be disappointed.

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CONTRIBUTORS

Damir Šagolj / A reporter whose tool is a photo camera. Works for Reuters news agency and it’s currently based in Bangkok, Thailand. The opinions and whatever is written and posted here by Damir is his only and not of his employer.